SDUSD RUNNER-UP FOR BIG HONOR

Broad Prize is awarded to Houston district, but recognition as finalist cheered locally

In early 2009, Barrera and Evans conceived a community-based reform plan that would dismiss the top-down management style associated with previous superintendents. The school board sought out and promoted some of the most successful instruction practices used throughout the sprawling district. It eventually adopted its Vision 2020 plan and permanently promoted Kowba, a former chief financial officer who twice served as interim superintendent, to the district’s top post.

Among the keys to San Diego’s recent success:

•Community-based reforms. The district promoted best practices in the district and established what are known as “professional learning communities” — clusters of educators, parents and community members that stress collaboration.

•Technology. Funded by the 2008 Proposition S bond measure, the i21 (Integrated 21st Century Classroom) initiative started to outfit about 20 percent of classrooms per year with a suite of new technological tools designed to create an engaging learning environment.

•Budget protection for classrooms. The board avoided layoffs during the fiscal crisis; it took heat for labor contracts that prevented layoffs and required raises. Those deals allowed the district to protect the stability of schools, especially those in poor areas that would be hurt the most because their often-inexperienced teachers are most vulnerable to seniority-based pink slips.